Oh, there were sooo many reasons for Bette Porter not to be a happy camper. These days things seemed to go wrong or a least take a surprising side road that took places she didn’t want to go – or even know of.

After a visit in the absolute bliss seeing her baby for the first time and holding Tina’s hand without any animosity between them – followed by what Bette had thought were lovemaking, but Tina’s last awkward goodbye suggested that it had merely been a ***** – a friendly and oh so satisfying *****, but nothing more than that.

‘Let’s not let it mess everything up,’ Tina had said. ‘We were doing great”. Bette wanted to puke. Yeah, they were doing great; Tina with Helena, Tina ***** Bette for . for what? Old times sake? And Bette’s personal life in ruins and the professional one close to the same faith.

And now this to make a ***** pile of a day even shittier – an email with a request she couldn’t ignore, even if she wanted to. It sounded so far out that it had to be true. For some reason she believed every awful word in the mail and she had to do what was asked of her.

At least it would take her mind off Tina, the love of her damned life – and Helena, her own personal and professional nemesis. But why her?

Why was she the recipient of this request? Were there no other, someone more qualified to help with this? It made her sad to think that she was the only lifeline to pull – or was there an ulterior motive behind it? Bette couldn’t think of any – none that made sense anyway.

So Bette did the easiest she was asked to do first and grabbed her phone. “Shane? I have to talk to you, it’s important.”

***

*****, ***** and ***** again! This ***** world had to give her a ***** break sometime! *****! And now she sounded like a bad Jenny-parody!

Okay, now there were plans to activate, people to talk to, actions to be taken. ***** Jenny – and ***** Carmen. Yeah, ***** Carmen. She sighed. Every time she heard or spoke that name – even thought it – her heart plummeted to the stomach and started aching.

Her phone vibrated. “Yeah?”

“Hi Shane, you called?”

“Straw?! Great to hear from you, man. How’s Nic? Still stirring up trouble?”

Strawberry laughed. “Yep, but these always in the name of the greater good! She sends her love.”

“Right back at her, Straw, and to you, too.” Shane felt a little better. Nic and Straw were troubleshooters, problem-solvers and only God knew what else, they would help them fix this without even breaking sweat – of that Shane was sure.

“Is something wrong, Shane? Are you in trouble?”

“No, this time it’s not me. One of my friends though, is in so much trouble that she’s about to be buried in it.

“Tell me,” Strawberry said. “Then we’ll find a way.”

***

Shane was a mess, Bette recognized the signs. The whole ‘the Carmen-thing has no effect on me whatsoever’ didn’t fool Bette one bit. Maybe this sort of distraction could do them both some good.

After some debate back and forward, had phoned a couple of places and then finally made a plan of action. It would take some time to get it all organized, so Bette had reassuringly reply’ed the email, sending the message that it wasn’t forgotten.

And Tina? Not one word from Tina. Not one damn word to calm and soothe her aching heart, not a small acknowledgement that their interaction had meant more than a nostalgic ***** after an emotional experience.

Self pity? Bette had loads of it, if she could bottle it and find a market, she would have an everlasting source of wealth in her soul. She giggled. Man, what a pathetic thing to think! She was glad no one had access to her thoughts.

Not that anyone seemed to care these days – surely not Tina. She giggled again. “I’m quite good at this pathetic thing!”

“What?”

“Oh, hey Shane.” Bette blushed. “I didn’t hear you come in.”

Shane shrugged, never the overtly curious one. “We’re rolling,” she said. “Nic and Straw is on their merry way.”

Bette sighed with relief. “That’s the best news I’ve had in months.”

Shane nodded. Yep, with her two old friends in their corner, they had a fighting chance to fix everything.

Everything, but their broken hearts.

tbc.

So what did you think? I won’t do as I’ve seen many do here: respond to every feedback placed after the story. I hope that’s ok. If you want a more personal response – an answer to a question etc, please send me a mail:
skrivegal@hotmail.com